“Siblings born less than a year apart” – Oxford Dictionary’s definition of “Irish Twins.”
Especially in March, there are a lot of things to enjoy about being Irish (whether you actually are or not). St. Patrick’s Day… a river dyed green… corned beef & cabbage… shamrock shakes… soda bread… and the wearin’ of the green. But what about when the possibility of “Irish twins” comes your way?
The reality is this: If you are already the mother of a young baby and have just learned (or suspect) that you’re pregnant again, and if it wasn’t your plan for this to happen, you may be doing some serious thinking about this pregnancy. Ahead of you are questions, options, and decisions. If you’re struggling to determine your next steps, we want you to know we are here to walk with you.
Since 1981, Avenue Women’s Center has served as the first step for women in the Chicagoland area who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and needing to decide what they are going to do next. It may be an accurate, medical-grade pregnancy test to find out for sure whether you are pregnant. If the result is positive, a confidential, private appointment with one of our nonjudgmental pregnancy consultants can help you sort through your options. Both of these are among the services we are able to offer to you free of charge. You don’t need to carry this all by yourself. We encourage you to contact us today to help you take that first step.
As you face the possibility of being pregnant again soon after your child was born, we want to assure you that you’re not alone. Many women face this same fear every month. It can be paralyzing. Or, it can feel like an immediate solution must be implemented.
Perhaps your mind has jumped to the possibility of termination. In fact, the Guttmacher Institute reports: “Fifty-nine percent of abortions in 2014 were obtained by patients who had had at least one birth.”*
Perhaps you are considering keeping the baby, but you don’t know how you would manage. You feel tapped out already, with time, emotions, physical ability, and finances. Is it realistic to think about having another child so soon?
Whether it’s the timing of the pregnancy or something else about your situation that causes concern about an unplanned pregnancy, we understand you’ve got a lot to think about. We’ve been working with women of all ages and in many circumstances for a lot of years. It can make a difference to speak with someone who can help you understand your options, and who can also assist you by asking some of the questions you may not have thought of right away yourself. If you are reading this today, beginning to process your situation, perhaps the following questions will prove helpful:
- As I think about my options, what might be the results of each a year or two down the road? Five years? Ten years?
- Will my decision have an impact on others in my life? Family? My support network?
- Whatever course I follow, how might it affect my own life, short term and long term?
These aren’t easy questions, but they tend to be good ones to fully process before jumping into a course of action. We find it’s best to think beyond your immediate circumstance and be better prepared for the things that may follow. Life is a journey. This is a journey for you. Whatever pregnancy decisions you make, we want to help ensure you are satisfied, long-term, with the direction you set. We hope you will do us the honor of allowing us to accompany you along the way.
Contact any of our five DuPage County locations – Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, or Wood Dale, Illinois – by call, text, email or chat. We look forward to hearing from you!
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.